Book Lovers To Party Like It's 1776 For A Storied Newtown Institution

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Library Company will host its annual Book Lovers cocktail party on Saturday, February 28. The fundraiser celebrates the library's 266 years of continuous service. This year's event will also honor America's 250th anniversary by paying tribute to a Newtown Borough resident who served in World War I.

The event will take place at the American Legion Morell Smith Post 440. The post is named after Morell Smith, the only Newtown resident who died while serving in World War I. Smith was a graduate of George School and Penn State.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view framed photographs of local veterans through a collaboration with the Newtown Historic Association’s Dave and Mary Callahan Research Center. The exhibit will also include letters written by local World War II soldiers who corresponded with community supporter John Janney.

Morell Smith was the only Newtown resident who died while serving in World War I. The American Legion Post in Newtown is named in his memory.

"As a volunteer at the research center and the mother of a veteran, I couldn’t help but be moved by these letters," said Nancy Webster, director of historical outreach at the Newtown Library Company. "Reading these letters will change you. They are no longer just names you read on a plaque."

Webster added, "You feel like you know them and care about what happened to them. After this event, we, the board members and dedicated volunteers, want to continue to find ways to share these important stories so that the character and courage of their personal lives are remembered and will no doubt inspire others."

For more than 22 years, the Book Lovers event has brought together the Newtown community for an evening of cocktails, conversation, and entertainment in support of the Newtown Library Company. The library is the oldest continuously operating library in Bucks County.

This year's celebration will include live entertainment by the musical duo Pat & Sean. Guests will also enjoy cuisine provided by Joseph’s Premier Catering. The event's raffle will feature Lottery Trees and the Wheelbarrow of Cheer.

"The gala itself is a wonderful time for our community to connect and celebrate our own historic Bucks County gem," Webster said. "This fundraiser is more than an occasion; it’s a lifeline for sustaining our beloved library’s growth and impact. Your presence and support will help ensure that our library continues to delight and inspire members of all ages."

The Book Lovers Party is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Newtown Library Company’s website. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Newtown Library Company, which relies on membership fees and donations for support.

The Newtown Library Company is the oldest continually operating subscription-based library in Bucks County and the only library located in Newtown. The nonprofit organization relies solely on membership fees and donations for support. The library hosts numerous ongoing community programs including weekly children’s story time, Share Your Shelf book discussions, the 5K Race on Market Day, and the Newtown Library Poetry Series.

Additional community favorites include seasonal family events, a public puzzle board, chess programs, and upcoming classes and game nights featuring Mahjong, Rummikub, and knitting and crochet gatherings.

In addition to offering the latest New York Times Best Sellers, updated weekly, the library provides members access to e-books for digital reading. Community members are encouraged to become members, sponsors, or donors, or to visit the library’s free reading rooms and become part of a living piece of history.